TORRANCE, Calif. (June 29, 2012) — Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced that it has amended its recall from late 2009, adding two models to address the potential for unsecured or incompatible floor mat entrapment of the accelerator pedal.

Filed under: Performance , Technology , BMW , Toyota , Electric If you are any other carmaker, this is really not what you want to hear on a Friday morning: The industry’s 800-pound gorilla and one of its most profitable brands are joining forces. If you are an enthusiast (or environmentalist), however, the would-be products of this collaboration may have you cheering like a Miami Heat fan. While details are admittedly scarce, the notion of BMW and Toyota throwing in on a sports car has us tickled, especially considering how well the Japanese giant’s liaison with Subaru to produce the BRZ and Scion FR-S has turned out. The other aspects of this just-announced BMW-Toyota agreement – a fuel cell system, powertrain electrification and lightweighting technology – make the project sound even more like the stuff of dreams. The expansive partnership builds on a deal between the two automakers brokered in March to collaborate on next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Count us among those waiting with bated breath to see whether they come true. For more details, scroll down to read BMW’s official press release. Continue reading BMW and Toyota to partner on sports car and EV tech BMW and Toyota to partner on sports car and EV tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Car Buying , Auctions , Chevrolet , Dodge , Ford , Jeep , Nissan , Toyota eBay Motors and AutoNation are quickly establishing a reputation for finding new ways to sell cars online. They teamed up for the first time back in March when they tried selling vehicles for half price on the popular auction site. This weekend they’re back with another unique promotion that will see the price for certain vehicles drop every hour until they’re sold. The reverse auctions began at 12:00 PM EST today and will run through 8:00 PM EST on Monday, July 2. Each day about 10 vehicles will be posted for sale with an initial Buy it Now price that matches their MSRP. Every hour their prices will drop according to a list of prices that accompanies each auction. A 2012 Nissan Rogue that kicks off the promotion, for instance, is dropping by $500 per hour. The good news is that there is no limit to how far prices can drop, nor a reserve they need to stay above. The only limiting factor is the other person out there who’s willing to pay $500 more than you. As for what sort of vehicles will be sold via this promotion, the list includes vehicles from Chevy , Dodge , Ford , Jeep , Nissan and Toyota , and includes popular models like the Camaro , Mustang , F-150 , Fusion , Challenger , Charger , Wrangler , Prius C , Camry and more.

Washington, DC – (June 28, 2012) – DC SCORES, which provides award-winning after-school programs for low-income youth in Washington, DC today received a brand new Toyota Sienna as part of the automaker’s100 Cars for Good program.

Filed under: Car Buying , Chevrolet , Chrysler , Ford , GM , Honda , Toyota Ask any sales and marketing executive from Chrysler , Ford or General Motors what their company’s greatest challenge is and they will unequivocally reply, “California.” The Golden State accounts for 12.5 percent of all new car sales in the United States, but even more importantly, it is seen as a bellwether for the nation. As the home of the entertainment and consumer electronics industries, California has an outsized reach into our nation’s popular culture – but Californians have historically been among the least receptive to domestic products. There’s some evidence that trend may be changing, as domestic market share has been improving in the recent years, according to Forbes . Ford has seen its Blue Oval brand improve from seven percent in 2008 to over nine percent last year. Chevrolet topped six percent last year after three years of growth. Even Chrysler, which had a market share of less than four percent in 2010, has seen growth – to five percent in 2011 and almost six percent so far this year. Still, those numbers are a pittance compared to the import brands. According to The Detroit News , domestic automakers have a combined 30.8 percent share in California, well below their 44.3 percent national average. The domestics’ recent growth in California – the Japanese and Korean manufacturers’ “home turf” – has certainly been helped by supply shortages at Honda and Toyota , companies beset by natural disasters last year. If domestic automakers are going to continue to take share from foreign competition, they’re going to have to have more success stories like the recent surge in Chevrolet Volt sales, a phenomenon spurred by the availability of High Occupancy Vehicle lane stickers for GM’s plug-in hybrid.

Filed under: Hybrid , Sedan , Toyota , Design/Style Given that the 2013 Avalon shares a platform with the new Lexus ES , this news should come as no surprise: Toyota’s largest sedan is getting its own hybrid variant for the first time ever. Judging by these first photos, carspotters will have to squint hard to tell that they’re looking at a hybrid, as there are only a few small badges and blue-tinted lenses as a tip-off to this vehicle’s gas-electric motivation. As with its luxury-minded sibling, the Avalon Hybrid will arrive under the spell of a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four paired with a duo of electric motors juiced by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Total system power is stated at 200 horsepower, but the meatier number is an EPA fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon city and 39 highway. Also like its Lexus relation, Toyota is touting a trio of operation modes that includes pure EV (only good for one mile at speeds up to 25 mph), Eco, and Sport, the latter of which tweaks both steering weight and throttle response. Toyota hasn’t released any dynamic performance figures or pricing information, but the new Avalon Hybrid will be in dealers this fall, where it will square off against the Buick LaCrosse eAssist and soon-to-be-replaced Lincoln MKZ Hybrid . Continue reading Toyota Avalon gets 40-MPG hybrid model for 2013 Toyota Avalon gets 40-MPG hybrid model for 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: SUV , Safety , Videos , Toyota , Off-Road Disaster can strike just about anywhere, but the likelihood – and severity – often increases the further you are from civilization. That’s what one couple in Washington State found out when they went camping with their Toyota 4Runner along the Barlow Pass in the northern Cascade mountains. When a storm approached they sought shelter, but fortunately didn’t hide inside their Toyota . A hundred-foot-tall hickory tree fell on it, crushing the back portion of the SUV. With emergency and park services apparently refusing to help, it took them a while to get a few friends out their with chainsaws to cut the tree away from the Toyota. But once they did, they were astonished to find the truck not only started, but drove them back into town where they were able to call for a tow. Of course, the truck was virtually irreparable, but the very fact that it got them to safety after being crushed by a giant tree has the owners looking at another 4Runner – and with good reason. Are we surprised by the Toyota’s fortitude? After that now-legendary Top Gear Hilux abusefest , nothing surprises us. Scroll down to watch a video of the crumpled Toyota in action, then follow the link to the forum for more images.